Intervals (part 2)

Before reading this page reading the Intervals - Part1 is highly recommended!

Abbreviations of intervals

P for perfect, m for minor, M for major, d for diminished, A for augmented, followed by the diatonic interval number. The octave is P8, and a unison is usually referred to simply as "a unison" but can be labeled P1. The tritone, an augmented fourth or diminished fifth is often π or TT.

m2: minor second
M3: major third
P5: perfect fifth
m9: minor ninth

Diatonic Intervals

Here are the intervals that correspond to the scale in C major. These are called diatonic intervals. Practice playing or singing these intervals until you are familiar with the name and characteristic sound of each one.

These intervals are important and should be memorized because they are always the same for all major scales. That is, if we compare each scale degree with the root for any major scale, we will always get these same intervallic relationships - a unison or perfect prime, a major 2nd, a major 3rd, a perfect 4th, a perfect 5th, a major 6th, a major 7th, and an octave or perfect 8th*.

Interval Names and Half Steps

Practice intervals try to hear them. Once you accomplish that, you can then imagine something, name it and see it on the neck.

The final result is to play whatever you imagine...